Dial-a-ride Plan

Goes To Council

BRISTOL — The board of finance Tuesday night supported awarding the bid for the dial-a-ride program to the Bristol Community Organization Inc. and referred the issue to the city council.

The finance panel's action sets the stage to end months of debate over funding for the program.

For years, the community organization has operated the dial-a-ride program, which provides transportation to seniors and the disabled. The organization subsidized the program, along with some financial help from the city. Last year, the organization stopped funding the program and asked the city's finance board for help. The board funded the program until the end of the year and then sought bids for program operators.

Mayor Frank N. Nicastro Sr. said the city council at its February meeting will consider awarding the bid to the community organization. The organization provided the low bid of about $65,100 annually based on 8,400 one-way trips. Managed Transportation Services of Plainville bid about $96,600. Finance board Chairman Allan Plourde said the board asked the city to evaluate its relationship with the organization, because the city might need to change some existing arrangements with the nonprofit social service organization. For instance, city officials are reassessing whether they can still provide the organization with fuel for vehicles, Plourde said.